The ZUR-23-2SP is a modernized version of the Soviet-made ZU-23-2 23mm twin-barreled anti-aicraft cannon. This upgrade was performed in Poland by the Company Zaklady Mechaniczne Tarnow (ZMT). The ZUR-23-2SP keeps the original twin 23mm cannon fitted with two GROM MANPADS (MAN-Portable Air-Defense Systems) mounted on the top of the carriage. With these new weapons, the ZUR-23-2SP is now an anti-aircraft gun and missile system. This artillery system is now electrically powered in elevation and traverse to allow faster engagement of air targets. it is also fitted with new sighting system, TV Camera , cooled thermal camera and laser range finder. The ZUR-23-2SP system is designed to destroy low-flying air targets such as: aircraft, helicopters, rockets, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ground targets. The ZUR-23-2SP is also the main component of the PSRA Pilica VSHORAD Very SHOrt-Range Air Defense system also developed by ZMT. In December 2016, the Polish Minister of Defense an $180 million contract for the delivery of six batteries of the PSRA Pilica for the Polish Armed Forces including ZUR-23-2SP artillery weapon systems.

The ZUR-23-2SP is based on the Soviet-made ZU-23-2 using the same twin-barreled 2A14 23mm automatic cannon but with additional armament including two GROM or PIORUN MANPADS (MAN-Portable Air-Defense Systems) fire and forget surface-to-air missiles launcher tube mounted at the top of the rear carriage in ready to fire position. To allow for faster elevation and traverse capabilities, all electric drives have been fitted which allow the ZUR-23-SP to be traversed at a maximum speed of 90º/s and elevated at a similar speed. The 23 mm cannon has a cyclic rate of fire of 1,600 to 2,000-rds/min with both barrels although practical rate of fire is 400 rounds using both barrels. The ZUR-23-2SP can traverse through 360° and the elevation is from -10° to +75° for the 23mm cannon and 0° to 70° for the GROM/PIORUN missiles.

The two GROM/PIORUN MANPADS mounted on the ZUR-23-2SP

Missile and ammunition

The ZUR-23-2SP with the 23mm cannon can fire different types of ammunition as Armour-Piercing Incendiary with Tracer (API/BZT), High-Explosive Incendiary with Tracer (HEI/OFZT), Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer (APDS-T) and Frangible Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot with Tracer (FAPDS-T). the 23mm cannon has a maximum range of 2,500 m and up to a maximum altitude of 1,500 m. It can be also used against land targets. One ammunition box is stored on each side of the 23mm cannon. The GROM surface-to-air missiles can be used to engage aerial targets at a maximum range from 5,500 m and altitude from 10 to 3,500 m.

Mobility

The ZUR-23-2SP uses the same carriage with two rubber-tired road wheels as the original Soviet-made ZU-23-2. In the firing position the wheels of the carriage are raised off the ground and the weapon is supported on its triangular platform which has three screw-type leveling jacks. In road position, the ZUR-23-2SP is towed by a Polish-made Jelcz 442.32 4x4 military truck.

Accessories

The ZUR-23-2SP is fitted with the CKE-2 collimator target sight with built-in viewer is provided for the gunner, as only one person is now required to be on the mount. manufactured by the Polish Company Prexer. The CKE-2 sight offers the possibility for the gunner to follow his target automatically in direction and elevation. During the tracking of the target the CKE-2 sight calculates automatically the aiming angles. It can be used against stationary and mobile land targets moving at low speed. It is also provided with an emergency ring-shaped target sight in case of main sight failure to continue directing the cannon. For observation and tracking, ZUR-23-2SP is equipped with the GOS-1 AURORA optoelectronic head which includes a cooled thermal camera, a TV Camera and a laser rangefinder. The head is used as fire control systems and as surveillance/targeting systems. This upgrade package automates the aiming of the weapons, allows targets to be engaged under day and night conditions and gives a higher kill probability against faster targets.